Smile Beautifully at any age! We provide outstanding orthodontic treatments for all ages.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting the orthodontist around age seven. By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth. With periodic supervision and conservative treatment when needed, we can ensure a normal growth and development of the child’s face and dentition.
Most teenagers should have lost all their baby teeth and have all adult teeth except for wisdom teeth or third molars. Our goal is to correct alignment and bite issues with efficient and esthetic treatment options. The average treatment time is 12-18 months for a beautiful smile that your teenager will be proud to show off for a lifetime.
Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. One in five orthodontic patient is over the age of 21. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. A beautiful smile can boosts your confidence and teeth can be moved at any age. We will provide you with the most esthetic and efficient treatment that works with your lifestyle.
The most common type of braces are metal braces. They are made of stainless steel and they straighten teeth using brackets that are bonded to the outside surface of the teeth with a wire that connects them together. Braces can have colorful elastic ties which are selected at each appointment. Braces can also be Self-ligating which do no require the use of elastic ties, instead it has a specialized clip to help the archwire guide teeth into place.
Clear braces are made of ceramic and are less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For some teenagers and adults, clear braces are a great alternative to metal braces for cosmetic concerns. While they are clear, they do require more attention because they are larger and more brittle.
Invisalign are a series of clear, removable and comfortable trays that move your teeth little by little like braces. Invisalign aligners are removable and highly aesthetic which are a great option for adults and teens. Oral hygiene is less of a hassle since they are removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. The aligners are custom made to each person and the outcome can be visualized from the beginning of treatment.
Inbrace is a new system in orthodontic treatment that are custom-made braces. They are invisible to others because they are placed on the backs of the teeth, which is the lingual side. The braces are completely hidden and the Smartwires let your brush and floss normally with nothing to remove. There is nothing to see thus nothing to feel self-conscious about during your orthodontic treatment. Dr. Gao is one of the only providers in Los Angeles who offers InBrace treatment to her patients.
Some appliances might be used in conjunction with orthodontic treatment whether it is braces or Invisalign.
Rapid palatal expander helps to correct any crossbites between the upper teeth and the lower teeth. Most often used on kids to widen the palatal and match it to the bottom teeth.
These 2 appliances are often used on kids with some baby teeth still remaining. They help push the mandible (lower jaw) forward when the top front teeth are too much ahead of the lower front teeth.
Used during braces and Invisalign treatment, it is removable and attached to the top and bottom teeth so that the bite can be coordinated and corrected.
After orthodontic treatment is done and the teeth are straight, retainers are given to hold the teeth in their new position. They prevent relapse of treatment and are a crucial component to any orthodontic treatment.
